By PR | 03:38 PM January 19, 2025
Filipino lawyer Jordan Pizarras, legal counsel to American businessman Timothy Strong, will be among the few Filipinos attending the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
The invitation underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with the Philippines, particularly on shared concerns over China’s maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea.
Timothy Strong, a significant shareholder of PXP Energy Corporation, is at the helm of efforts to develop Service Contract 72 (SC 72), located in the Reed Bank/Recto Bank basin, west of Palawan Island. PXP Energy, a London-listed company, secured the rights to explore the energy-rich SC 72 concession, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
A Game-Changing Energy Resource
The Reed Bank basin is estimated to contain approximately 3.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, including the Sampaguita gas field, which alone holds around 2.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. Experts estimate the field’s reserves could last for over 100 years, with an estimated value exceeding $500 trillion. Such resources could significantly bolster the Philippines’ energy security and provide a vital boost to its economy.
The development of SC 72 has been hindered by a moratorium on exploration imposed in December 2014 due to a force majeure caused by heightened tensions with China. This moratorium remains in effect until the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) authorizes its lifting, but recent recommendations by the Department of Energy (DOE) signal progress toward resuming exploration activities.
A Symbol of US Support
The invitation to Pizarras was extended by US House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a prominent Republican leader and supporter of strengthened US-Philippine relations. Emmer’s endorsement of Pizarras’ presence at the historic inauguration signals Washington’s commitment to upholding the 2016 ruling of the UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal, which declared China’s nine-dash line claims in the West Philippine Sea as lacking any legal basis.
The tribunal further affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Reed Bank and ruled that China’s operations in the area were unlawful. However, China’s continued activities in the region remain a point of contention.
Broader Implications
Pizarras’ attendance at Trump’s inauguration highlights a critical intersection of diplomatic and economic interests. Legal experts and analysts view this as a strategic move to reinforce international support for the Philippines in asserting its territorial and economic rights in the contested waters.
“This is more than a symbolic gesture,” noted a political analyst. “It signifies a potential shift in the geopolitical balance and the strengthening of the US-Philippine alliance in countering China’s maritime ambitions.”
Looking Ahead
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the Philippines is poised to leverage its renewed partnership with the United States to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea and unlock the economic potential of its natural resources.
The lifting of the SC 72 moratorium, if realized, would not only affirm the Philippines’ rights under international law but also pave the way for significant economic development. PXP Energy, through its subsidiary Forum GSEC, remains committed to working with the government to responsibly develop this strategic resource.
Incidentally, Pizarras is running as Congress representative of the first district of Bohol. His representation at the US inauguration serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of diplomacy and international cooperation in addressing complex territorial disputes and advancing mutual economic interests
